Barkhamsted minister to retire after ‘part-time’ stint with First Congregational Church

Barkhamsted >> Rev. Charlie Hall will give his last service at the First Congregational Church of Barkhamsted this Sunday, on Old Home Day. Hall has been a part of the Barkhamsted community for only three years, but residents say he has made quite an impact in that short time.

“He’s one of these people who jumped right into the community,” said First Selectman Don Stein. “He was always reaching out beyond the congregation.”

Hall came to Barkhamsted from a congregation in Iowa, where he spent 16 years. Before that he spent time in Maine, Michigan and Illinois. His goal all along was to add something to the communities he was a part of.

“I wanted to be where I could fit in and somewhere you could be helpful, so I could have something to add,” said Hall. “We tried here.”

During his time in Barkhamsted, Hall helped organize a ceremony for the anniversary of 9/11 and a vigil for the Sandy Hook shooting.

When he took the job, he had hoped to find a, “part-time, semi-retired,” position. Working with the First Congregational Church has been more like a full-time job but Hall said, “I hope I’ve been helpful.”

Hall will move into full-time retirement after his final Sunday service. On Tuesday, he will move back to Michigan to be closer to his children. Stepping back into a church won’t be out of the question though. He said he may help out where he is needed.

“I will miss very much being connected with a parish, being in the homes and with the people,” said Hall.

“It’s great for a small town to see someone like that come in and totally be willing to help anyone in need,” Stein said of Hall. “He was a perfect asset to the community.”

About the Author

Kate Hartman works as a writer for Connecticut Magazine and formerly covered the towns of Harwinton, Burlington, New Hartford, Barkhamsted and Canton for The Register Citizen. Reach the author at khartman@registercitizen.com
or follow Kate on Twitter: @CTMagKate.